A conservation centre and nature reserve has come full circle after installing an energy efficient biomass boiler from Windhager UK. Pensychnant House and Estate, Conwy, was designed by the Stott family, architects of the Lancashire Cotton Mills. Incorporating a central heating system at the time of its building, the nineteenth century house was well ahead of its time. Now, the decision to install a Windhager wood pellet boiler brings Pensychnant once again to the forefront of heating technologies.
Pensychnant is a charity that aims to cultivate the public’s appreciation and understanding of nature and to protect the wildlife and natural beauty of North Wales. The use of a carbon-neutral biomass boiler is in sympathy with the ethos of the charity and contributes to the aim of sustainability at Pensychnant. The 60kW BioWin boiler replaces an inefficient and ineffectual oil boiler that consumed an estimated 6000 litres of oil per annum. The Windhager boiler, expected to generate 90,000kWh of heat per year, now maintains a constant and comfortable temperature throughout the centre, significantly improving conditions for users of the building.
Mr Julian Thompson, warden at Pensychnant, describes how the installation of a highly efficient heating system has made a difference to the house.
“Pensychnant had a reputation for being cold. Our visitors used to don hats and scarves for our events, but now we are able to get the house warm. It is a joy to wake up in the morning without frost on my whiskers. Certainly the benefits of our new boiler will be enjoyed by Pensychnant’s visitors and we hope that this will make the charity more successful.”
The conservation centre will also benefit from the RHI scheme which helps to make the installation of biomass viable for places like Pensychnant, as Mr Thompson explains,
“This income was a vital part of our decision to use biomass, because although our hearts want to save the world, our pockets would not allow such expense without some incentive.”
Installed by heating and plumbing specialists Mon Heating, the Windhager boiler is situated in a small outbuilding converted into a boiler house. Mr Thompson continued...
“The flexibility of Windhager and the relatively small footprint of the BioWin contributed to our decision to use the company. Windhager was able to cater for our needs in spite of our slightly difficult and cramped location for the boiler. One of the deciding factors was the support given by Windhager and Mon Heating during the long period as we considered every option. This support has been much appreciated during the installation work and I feel confident that Pensychnant will receive any necessary back-up in the future”.
Following its installation, the Windhager boiler is already attracting attention from specialists and interested local authorities, including experts from Conwy Council’s Rural Development Plan. Windhager’s wood pellet technology is award-winning and has been adapted especially for heating larger properties.
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